The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, is a U.S. immigration policy established in 2012. It allows certain individuals who were brought to the country as children, often referred to as "Dreamers," to apply for temporary protection from deportation. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria, including having arrived in the U.S. before their 16th birthday and having lived continuously in the country since 2007. DACA does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship, but it allows recipients to work legally in the U.S. The program has faced legal challenges and changes in administration, impacting its availability and the number of individuals it serves.